Soon – maybe even by the time you read this article – the state’s largest company, Hawaiian Electric Industries, will begin a radical transformation from the stodgy monopoly we’ve known for 124 years, into a much more nimble and competitive company, one that’s prepared for the challenges facing a 21st-century electric utility. No, I’m not referring to the company’s proposed…
In the hospitality world, it’s not just hotel guests who win points and rewards. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas on Kauai’s North Shore earned a bonus when it installed a system that delivers electricity more efficiently and comes with a free byproduct, heat. That byproduct, which would normally be wasted, is harvested to run the Westin Princeville’s absorption chiller…
I believe the Hawaiian people have been given a tremendous gift from Pele and that gift is this access to deep ocean water,” says Rich Bailey, owner of Dewpoint Systems. The gift of deep ocean water may be Pele’s, but the water is delivered to the surface by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority’s water pipes, which reach down…
As far as invasive species go, the little fire ant is considered one of the world’s worst. Its burning sting causes a painful, long-lasting and itchy rash in humans; can interfere with nesting and endanger the young of native species; and causes blindness in pets who can’t brush the biting ants off their faces. And, unlike other ant species that…
CREATOR: Larry Fenton has been an ironworker by trade for 26 years, holds a B.A. in history and political science from Chaminade University and a business certificate from the Wharton School of Business, and says he’s “been looking for a way to get into the computer field for a while.” His more than 10 years as an eBay seller prompted…
Wednesday, 10:35 A.m. Working Class Tattoo, Kaimuki Photo by Olivier Koning Owner Steven Lam meticulously inspects a sterilized needle through a magnifying loupe to ensure it is straight and sharp before it punctures flesh. Lam says that during the manufacturing process, the tip of a needle can become hooked, rendering them unsuitable for tattooing. Categories: Parting Shot, Small Business
“If you find the right organization – someone whose work you admire – (volunteering) does not feel like a lot of work,” says Leighton Yuen. For attorney Yuen and banker Cori Weston, that organization is the Hawaii Opera Theatre, and that’s why they are co-chairing a strategic planning process to help chart the organization’s future. “HOT is an important part…
Photo: Chef Jason Paul A luxurious meal at home prepared by a professional chef is not just a privilege of the rich and famous, but available to anyone willing to spend a few hundred dollars on a special occasion. Chef Jason Paul, owner of The Private Chef, says a three-course meal of salad/appetizer, entrée and dessert for groups smaller than…
“Belly dancing makes you love every muscle in the body. … It made me appreciate the curves I was born with.” You may have seen belly dancing and been in awe, but actually doing it offers something no other workout does, says Malia Delapenia, belly dancing instructor, performer and choreographer. It makes you feel sexy, she says, plus “It definitely…
For frugal folks, riding a motorcycle or moped is the way to go, says Glenn Koishigawa. “People’s jaws drop when I tell them they can get up to 60 miles to a gallon on a moped,” says Koishigawa, owner of Glenn’s Cycle Supply in Kaimuki. “They’re very popular, not just among students, but among retirees as well. Sometimes folks just…
Mary Fastenau Partner at Anthology Marketing Group and founder of its digital division AnthologyMarketing.com Question: What should I consider when revamping my business’s website? Answer: It’s time to redo your website, but where do you start? Everybody from Google to a fellow business owner has an opinion. Take a deep breath and think about what you really want to communicate….
I am the person most responsible for my health. No question about that. But should my company also take an interest in my health? In crass financial terms, the answer is yes. One reason is obvious: health insurance premiums. At my age, if I mistreat my body, I’ll be visiting doctors and hospitals more often. If there are enough people…
Only Half of Hawaii Got a Raise QMark Research surveyed 400 people statewide for Hawaii Business and asked if they got a raise over the past two years. Here is what those who work outside the home told QMark: Raises Did you get a raise in the past two years unrelated to a promotion or job change? > 58% of…
Employees at Whole Foods Market vote on the fate of a new hire, but the company likes to call it an act of affirmation, not something you’d see on “Survivor.” “It’s really affirming this new team member is part of the team,” says Claire Sullivan, Hawaii coordinator for Whole Foods, who also handles purchasing and public affairs. “It’s affirming they’re…
Photo: David Croxford Our cover was created by Matt Tapia, a nationally recognized illustrator and hand-lettering artist, born and raised in Hawaii. He’s done work for clients ranging from Nike to Zoo York. His approach is holistic and his final products often have a “built” or structural quality to them, even when they are two-dimensional. Above is a working draft…
PHOTO: JONATHAN MORSE If your realtor suggest you buy on a street now vibrating with jack hammers, buzz saws, chain saws and tree grinders – including the requisite oversize, loud-mouth backhoes and flatbeds, blackdust barricades and huge chunks of derelict homes being hauled out for recycling – you might think you failed to make it clear what you want in…
Name: Charene Davis Job: Senior designer and owner of Aloha Staged Interiors Experience: 15 years PHOTO: JOSEPH NISHIMIYA START: Davis earned degrees in interior design and journalism, but wound up getting her real estate license in 2002. That’s when she started staging her own listings, drawing on her training in interior design. “When I started, there weren’t many Realtors and…
Some say symbols are all around us if we know how to look and that’s certainly true at the state Capitol, which is imbued with representations of Hawaii’s culture, history and aina. One major theme of the design is the number eight, which represents the number of main Hawaiian Islands, says Joe Farrell, an architect for 54 years with Architects…
Richard Wacker didn’t start as a banker. An engineer by training, he spent 20 years in executive positions at General Electric. His first banking job came in 2004, when he left GE to run the troubled Korea Exchange Bank for six years. His family, though, moved to Hawaii and his youngest son attended Punahou School. When the CEO position opened…
Empathetic leadership means human-centered mindfulness throughout an organization. Community developer Neenz Faleafine, who has studied and practiced design thinking and leadership development, says learning to become an empathetic leader can be condensed into a five-step ALIVE process if you are committed to practice, repetition and personal growth. 1. ACCEPTANCE This two-part step begins with self-acceptance and concludes with the…
When I was a little girl, in the 1950s, my father sometimes took me downtown for a piece of the Alexander Young Hotel’s fabulous lemon crunch cake. It was a special time to have my busy businessman father all to myself for a few hours. After our treat, we would walk down Bishop Street to his office in the Dillingham…
Mark Tanouye’s wake-up call was actually a fire alarm. The 50-something data analyst at American Savings Bank was sitting in a conference room when a fire drill began.
BPTW QUICK LINKS LARGE COMPANIES | MEDIUM COMPANIES | SMALL COMPANIES SPECIAL AWARDS BEST PLACES TO WORK: BENEFITS AT A GLANCE Company Name Offers profit sharing or stock option % of employee medical premium paid by employer Number of paid holidays Allows tele-commuting Allows job sharing Allows flex hours/ compressed work week Helps pay for gym or wellness…
Honolulu at night is a different animal from its daylight self. Yes, it’s darker, but also emptier, the spaces less defined and much less colorful. What light there is feels dramatic; simple sights can feel staged. The person who works at night is also a different animal. The ones who have done it awhile can seem like variations on a…